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"Autism is a superpower"

Rainbowgirl

I see this type of message everywhere, people talking about the amazing talents that autistic people they've met have and calling it a superpower. They act like being autistic just comes with these amazing abilities.

I appreciate putting a positive light on autism rather than a negative one but it makes me feel like something is wrong with me. I don't have a superpower.

I'm slow, I'm bad at math, my memory is so bad that I fear I may have amnesia, I only ever did average at school and I've been learning the same language for 4 years yet I can't hold a real conversation. 

I'm not really intelligent or talented. The thing I'm best at is just being really interested in certain things (I consider it a good quality of mine) but it's nothing that would be considered a superpower.

Does anybody else feel this way? Is this type of thinking actually damaging to the image of autistic people?

Parents

  • Nothing is wrong with you, you don’t have to feel the same way. Everyone’s experiences of being autistic are different and perfectly valid. You have strengths of your own, so please don’t compare yourself to other people or their preconceived ideas of  autistic people.

    I think sometimes this type  of  thinking can be damaging if there is no balanced view and people think in extremes.

Reply

  • Nothing is wrong with you, you don’t have to feel the same way. Everyone’s experiences of being autistic are different and perfectly valid. You have strengths of your own, so please don’t compare yourself to other people or their preconceived ideas of  autistic people.

    I think sometimes this type  of  thinking can be damaging if there is no balanced view and people think in extremes.

Children